EMHRN Executive Committee Meeting – Brussels, October 2009

The EMHRN Executive Committee in Brussels, October 2009

The Executive Committee (EC) of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) met in Brussels, on 2 - 4 October 2009, reaffirming its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in the countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region...

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A particular cause of EMHRN’s concern is the non-adoption by the Human Rights Council, when holding its 12th session in Geneva, of a Resolution endorsing the Report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict. The report of the Fact Finding Mission, headed by Richard Goldstone, affirms that Israel and Palestinian armed groups committed war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity during Israel’s military offensive “Operation Cast Lead”, and demands for the perpetrators of these crimes to be held accountable. The 22-day offensive launched by Israel on 27 December 2008, resulted in a death toll, which exceeded 1400 Palestinians, 80% of whom civilians, injured 5000 more and caused an unprecedented level of destruction of civilian infrastructure.

The EMHRN deeply regrets the decision of the Palestinian National Authority on Friday, 2 October 2009, to delay the vote on the Resolution presented to the Council earlier that week, which called for the endorsement of the Goldstone Report in its entirety. The decision was taken following extensive pressure exerted by the governments of Israel and the U.S., fully supported by the EU, insisting on a “peace now, justice later” approach. This approach not only represents an insult to the victims of the offensive, but it consolidates the prevailing culture of impunity, essentially striping Palestinians of their right to a legal remedy, including through the avenue of the Human Rights Council. The EMHRN reiterates its conviction that any efforts to establish a long lasting and sustainable peace in the Middle East must be based on the respect for international law and entail a sense of justice.

In addition, in contrast with the Barcelona process, which maintained a focus on human rights, the EC regretfully notices that instead of addressing crucial questions of democracy, good governance and human rights in the Euro-Mediterranean region, the Union for the Mediterranean strictly focuses on economic criteria. Furthermore, the role of civil society remains undefined and challenged by the establishment of a co-presidency, particularly when involving countries with a track record of undermining the activities, freedom and independence of civil society. In light of these concerns, the EMHRN has decided to demand a hearing in front of the two current presidents, Egypt and France.

The EC also restated its deep concern regarding the continuing harassment, arrest and the obstruction of free movement of human rights defenders and civil society activists in Syria and Tunisia. The EMHRN strongly condemns the arrest of Muhannad Al Hassani, human rights lawyer and President of the Syrian Organisation for Human Rights and the closure of the office of the Syrian Centre for Media & Freedom of Expression (SCMFE). We call upon the Syrian authorities to immediately release Mr. Al Hassani, and to revoke the order issued on 13 September 2009, commanding the closure of the SCMFE. At the occasion of the presidential and parliamentary elections that will be held in Tunisia on 25 October 2009, the EC is further calling for the release of all prisoners of conscience of the mining basin of the Gafsa Governorate and the reinstatement of all their rights.